Cramer: Why Isn’t the Market Down, Gigantically?

Mad Money host Jim Cramer breaks down three separate scenarios to explain why the market did not get obliterated today after Speaker Boehner did not get enough support to vote on Plan B Thursday night.

Considering a 'cliff dive' appears to be a whole lot more likely than not, you'd think the market would take a 'nose dive'. But it hasn't.

"The first explanation, and one I heard all day is, the gigantic sell-off is still ahead," Cramer revealed. According to this idea, there are still buyers in the market, hoping to profit from a last minute resolution.

Another explanation involves a belief that "politicians can always agree to something small, something that staves off a calamity until another time," said Cramer.

In other words, they can kick the can – again. Conventional wisdom suggests that outcome would buoy the market, making current levels attractive.

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However, Cramer thinks a third explanation is the most likely explanation. Fundamentally, there's a lot to be positive about and therefore declines have not been deep.

"The U.S economy is strong enough to survive a fall onto either a trampoline or into a deep pool," he said.

In addition, the relative strength in corporate profits, the ability of Europe to contain its debt crisis, and China's commitment to growth are all powerful catalysts – and the market deems them powerful enough to offset the fiscal cliff – at least for the time being.

"We think that housing, autos and anything Chinese related can be bought in small amounts here," said Cramer. "Continue to use the weakness as an opportunity to buy not sell," said Cramer.

That's not to say the market can't keep selling-off, it can. Cramer said the market could easily give back a few more percentage points as buyers step back.

However, he thinks weakness is an opportunity and not something to fear. Put a shopping list together. "Better to be a buyer, not a seller," he said.